<!– mobile.png, mobile@2x.png (retina size) from dialog –><!– tablet.png, tablet@2x.png (retina size) from dialog –><!– place biggest non-retina size here –> Burt Reynolds mourned the death of longtime pal Jim Nabors: â€œI loved him and so did millions of others.â€� (Reuters/AP) Burt Reynolds is mourning the passing of his longtime mate, pal Jim Nabors, who died Thursday at age 87.â€œI am deeply saddened to hear of Jim Naborsâ€™ passing – he was a amazing mate, pal – we did several movies together,â€� Reynolds asserted in a acknowledgment to The- Wrap. â€œHis stage debut in ‘The Music Man’ at my Dinner Theatre had a amazing response and it was basically Jim being Jim. He had a large voice and a bigger zest for life â€“ I loved him and so did millions of others.â€�JIM NABORS DEAD; STAR BEST KNOWN AS GOMER PYLE WAS 87Reynolds friendship with Nabors led to roles in the 1982 comedy â€œThe Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,â€� the 1983 film â€œStroker Aceâ€� and the 1984 movie â€œCannonball Run II.â€�Nabors was best known for playing Gomer Pyle on â€œThe Andy Griffith Show.â€� He moreover reprised his role in the showâ€™s spinoff â€œGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.â€�Naborsâ€™ husband, Stan Cadwallader, asserted his longtime partner died peacefully at their home in Hawaii by his side.The Associated Press contributed to this report.